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Some fear Parks and Recreation may get axe Published: February 13, 2012 by Emily Darrell According to a statement made by Chairman Barry Hodge at the end of last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the supervisors have no plans to do away with the Parks and Recreation Department . . . unless, of course, they do. Hodge’s somewhat cryptic statement came after several citizens took to the mic during the meeting’s public comment period to praise the Parks Department and speak about how important the department is to the citizens of Powhatan. On the Thursday prior to the February 6 meeting, Michele Rundstrom and Charlie Green Jr., president and vice president of PYAA, sent out a mass email addressed to “PYAA Coaches, Players, Parents and Fans,” urging them to attend the meeting and show their support for the Parks Department. The email showed no indication that PYAA believes that the BOS wants to eliminate the Parks Department, only that they believe services will be cut. “Major budget cuts will likely affect the services delivered by the Parks and Recreation Department, and will ultimately affect the organized sports programs that PYAA provides to our children,” the email read. “PYAA depends on the Parks and Recreation Department to assist us with delivering these programs with field maintenance, field lighting, grass cutting and other essential services.” However, it appears some citizens do believe that the Parks and Recreation Department will be eliminated entirely, as evidenced by the appearance in the last few weeks of a new Facebook page called “Save the Powhatan Parks and Rec.” A post made on January 29 contained the statement: “Parks and Rec is one of several county departments on the chopping block.” Kevin Myers, director of the Powhatan Parks and Recreation Department, said that no one from the BOS has told him they plan on eliminating the department. “I’ve just been approached [by the BOS] and told that they want to put in some major cost-savings measures,” Myers said. “I’ve been told that everything’s on the table. That could mean cuts or even elimination of the department. But I think that’s across the board for every department in the county.” For now, Myers is taking the rumors in stride. “People have come up to me and asked me if we’re still gonna be around,” Myers said. “I just tell them that we’re going to proceed and do business as usual and do what’s best for Powhatan County.” |
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Seeker of truth
Feb. 20, 2012, 02:09 PM
DG, just read through this whole thread. Your point about pasting the domain name owner’s and hosting information about the Chamber of Commerce does not make sense. You do realize that the domain name owned by Mr. Walton is not actually the chamber’s web address, right? G Norquist
Feb. 19, 2012, 12:04 AM
@ SportsFan Actually, the BOS can simply tell the School Board we are giving you 4 million less than the previous year because we feel that extracurricular activities are an expense that cannot be paid for. Now if the School Board decides to keep the sports and layoff teachers, then that is their legal right but the BOS can make it difficult since the School Board is dependant on the county for half of its revenue Sports Fan
Feb. 17, 2012, 06:25 PM
The BOS has no control over what the school board spends money on. Sports are important to kids being healthy and staying out of trouble. Not the place to cut anything. Thought the schools were already at 2006 or 2007 levels of funding anyway. That’s probably why its been quiet. They got shanked enough already. Darrell G
Feb. 17, 2012, 05:10 PM
Whoops, backspace didn’t work, so that first sentence is kind of huh ? I lettered in Soccer, Football, Wrestling, Track, Chess and Debate myself. Extracirricular activities are very important, but I agree, you have to look at everything. I grew up in the Va Beach PS system and I have a Senior and a Junior in the system now. Their mother keeps me up to speed on the goings on. When I was in those systems, they didn’t have Jr. Varisty or intramural in the Jr. High or HS level. Darrell G
Feb. 17, 2012, 05:05 PM
Mr. Norquist, The Va Beach PS system’s problem are similar in a similar position due to similar choices and priorities by leadership. They are looking at trimming JUNIOR varisty programs, summer school and increased class size. They also have a lot of extra goodies and incentives and perks that other systems don’t have. It’s illustrative of what unchecked growth and spending on elective items and benefits can lead to. That article paints a bleaker picture than it actually is. Ponz, You owe me ANOTHER monitor darnit. Too funny. Doc, I believe when they say everything is on the table, they mean everything. Speaking of schools, the one thing I have noticed is that there hasn’t been the usual articles about the schools and it has been noticably quiet as compared to past years. G. Norquist
Feb. 17, 2012, 05:02 PM
@ Mike Hogan I was not in the chess club but I was in Model UN and Battle of the Brains (Captain for three years) in addition to running track (sprints mainly) and being a four year captain on the varsity soccer team. So while I do know the value of playing sports and participating in academic ventures outside of normal school hours, if the BOS is serious about cutting then ALL things must be on the table, including sports. Since the schools represent 53% of General Fund expenditures, it is obvious that this is the first place to start looking for savings as opposed to a Parks and Recreation department that represents 1.1% of the General Fund expenditures jason
Feb. 17, 2012, 05:00 PM
The PYAA has a forty year history of success and financial responsibility. The football pays for itself and other sports through its gate receipts and as a history of success. The parks department as neither. It will not close, but it may be altered and a closer relationship could be forged with the PYAA and Coalition of Churches to handle some functions which are better left to private groups than government. Dr. Miguelito Loveless of The Wild Wild West
Feb. 17, 2012, 04:42 PM
To “The Ponz”: “G. Norquist,” serious or not? A baffling question. I am not even sure whether the real Grover Norquist is serious. Or maybe that is the real Grover Norquist hisself, icon of no-new-taxes conservatives, talking here. Now that would be serious. G. Norquist
Feb. 17, 2012, 04:38 PM
Other areas in Virginia are considering similar ideas, the BOS here should as well http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/major-cuts-proposed-va-beach-schools-budget G. NOrquist
Feb. 17, 2012, 04:22 PM
@ Jason So “As a former captain and all-state player for the PHS Indians, I would never vote to ax the football team.” Since you were also a member of PYAA which is supported in part by the Parks and Recreation department, will you make a similar pledge of support. Submit Your Comments Below Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. |
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